June 18, 2026 — Disaster Council

Meeting Summary

Present: Gilman, Cleary

This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details — verify against the official recording and the transcript.

The Council discussed reactivating the inactive body established under municipal code.
Staff noted membership could expand to include additional agency representatives.
The group agreed to schedule meetings at least monthly to establish operations.

Officials reviewed resources regarding evacuation routes and potential refuge areas.
The City Manager reported a federal funding application for sirens and signage.
Staff will update the city website to consolidate evacuation information.

Officials explained that the EOC operates under the Incident Command System framework.
The Police Chief outlined a goal to train all city staff to an ICS competency level.
The Council agreed to pursue staff training and the implementation of tabletop exercises.

Date: Thursday, June 18th Subject: Reestablishment of the Ojai Disaster Council, Evacuation Planning, and Emergency Communication

The meeting opened with public comment. Three citizens spoke regarding emergency preparedness:
Dennis Colburn: Expressed concern regarding the lack of an actionable evacuation plan for arson-induced fires during extreme wind events. Cited traffic studies indicating evacuation routes exceed capacity within the first 24 hours of an alert. Urged the Council to prioritize a comprehensive plan, noting the current city website contains outdated emergency information.
Wayne Francis (MT Radio Emergency Coordinator): Discussed the existing AM 1610 emergency radio station. Noted that while the station exists, public awareness is low. Suggested implementing active programming and signage to direct residents to the station during emergencies, particularly regarding road conditions and evacuation directions.
Renee Roth: Highlighted the need for clear communication on the city website regarding who is in charge during incidents. Requested that the Incident Command System (ICS) structure and emergency protocols be easily accessible to the public.

The Council discussed the reactivation of the Ojai Disaster Council, which is established under the Ojai Municipal Code but had been inactive since 2023.
Discussion: The City Manager explained the Council's purpose is to discuss preventative and responsive actions during disasters. Membership could be expanded to include additional staff or agency representatives, subject to City Council approval.
Meeting Frequency: The Mayor proposed monthly meetings to establish operations. The City Manager suggested starting with monthly meetings to allow for agenda creation, with the possibility of increased frequency during fire season.
Decision: The Council agreed to meet at least monthly for the interim to establish operations.
Vote Outcome: No formal vote was recorded; agreement was reached via discussion.

The Council reviewed current evacuation resources and communication gaps.
Evacuation Routes and Centers: Emergency Services Officials noted the complexity of evacuation scenarios depending on wind direction and topography. Potential refuge areas discussed included Soule Park, Nordoff, and Honor Farm.
Signage and Alerts: The City Manager reported a federal funding application for sirens and signage. Wayne Francis noted that while permanent road signs face regulatory hurdles from Caltrans, pop-up signs are available for emergency use.
Website and Digital Resources: Staff presented the Ventura County Office of Emergency Services (VCOES) ArcGIS dashboard, which displays real-time evacuation polygons and centers. The Mayor and City Manager directed staff to update the city website to consolidate this information and clearly display evacuation routes and shelter locations.
Agency Collaboration: It was suggested that VCOES and the Public Safety Commission present at future meetings. The involvement of Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas, and other utilities in future planning was noted.
Decision: The Council identified Evacuation and Communication as primary priorities for the Council’s work.
Vote Outcome: No formal vote was recorded; consensus was reached to prioritize these topics.

The Council discussed the Emergency Operations Center and staff training requirements.
EOC Structure: Officials explained that the EOC operates under the Incident Command System (ICS) framework. It is located at the sheriff’s station and serves a support role to the incident commander.
Training: The Police Chief outlined a goal to train all city staff to a certain level of ICS competency to ensure readiness.
Exercises: Plans were discussed to conduct simple tabletop exercises involving multiple agencies. It was suggested that the EOC be activated during non-emergency planned events (e.g., Libby Bowl, 4th of July) or weather events to practice procedures without an active crisis.
Decision: The Council agreed to pursue staff training and the implementation of tabletop exercises.
Vote Outcome: No formal vote was recorded; agreement was reached via discussion.

Scheduling: The City Manager will coordinate with staff to determine room availability for the next meeting and will notify the public of the regular schedule.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.
Vote Outcome: Meeting concluded.